Chapter 3: Shock Waves and Heart Problems
'What is he doing?' Saki thought. For some reason, her heart started to beat faster, and she felt herself turn a little pink.
"Hanjima-san………you're…"
'I'm…?'
"You're…kneeling on my stomach." said Yuki with a wince.
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After the practice, Saki walked quickly back home. She had dinner to cook and was already behind schedule. However, halfway there, she felt her waves pick up something.
'Somone's watching me…' She slowly lifted her head and stared at the tree branches above her, where four girls sat with binoculars. With four high-pitched squeals, all four of them fell and landed right in front of Saki. It was then that she saw who it was. They were the Prince Yuki fan club.
Three of the four girls started to go into a frenzied dance of some sort, which required them to stretch in ways that are physically impossible and form the letters of Yuki's name. Then they finished, and the other one started to speak.
"Stop right there Hanajima Saki! I have heard that you have been assigned to train with our precious Prince Yuki! How dare you try to take him from us, you evil witch!" said the president of the club, who Saki couldn't seem to remember. She pointed a finger at Saki. "You must stop seeing him, or you must bring a Prince Yuki fan club escort when you do. I will not allow you to stay with him alone!" With that, she pulled out a long piece of paper and began to read the rules of the Prince Yuki fan club.
'I don't have time for this.' Saki thought. She hit them with a couple of shock waves and continued on her way home, leaving the four girls standing like statues in the middle of the street, horrified expressions plastered on each of their faces.
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For the next week, Saki practiced with Yuki every other day after school. Saki found that with time, Yuki's bad wave vibes grew fainter and fainter, or perhaps it was just that she started to mind them less and less. They were still in the pulling and running stage, but with a faster pace now. One day, Yuki decided that Saki was ready to try running by herself.
"No." was Saki's simple reply. She knew she would not be able to run. Her heart could not take the stress and her body was not used to propelling itself forward yet.
"But, Hanjima-san, you have been practicing for a week now. Your speed has improved, and you have acquired a nice pace. I think you are able to run without pulling now." Yuki gave her an encouraging smile. "Look, I'll give you a starting pull for about 10 paces, but then, you're on your own. What do you say?"
Saki stared him down for a minute and shot a few small sparks at him. However, silently, and reluctantly, she got into position. Yuki took her hands in his and began to pull. Saki felt her feet pick up the speed and jog. As he neared the 7th pace, Yuki increased the speed and began to pull her faster. Saki felt her legs pump harder and quicker. At the 10th pace, Yuki suddenly let go and stepped out of the way. Saki felt herself slow down a bit, but she was still running.
'I…I…can run…I can really run!' She felt the wind tickle her face and her legs hit the track. Saki was so proud of herself. With a glint in her eye, she pushed herself to run faster. And it worked! She was running all by herself. Saki ran slowly all around the track. As she reached the finish line, she saw Yuki waving at her, with an excited look on his face. She gave him a small smile and started to slow down. That was when she noticed how fast her heart was beating. Her breaths came in pants, and she was feeling light-headed.
'I…must have…overexerted myself…' she thought. Her feet started to drag and suddenly, she fell forward onto the track. As she fell into darkness, the last thing she thought was, 'I…feel…hungry…'
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She was in a classroom. It was her 7th grade classroom. She saw the 7th grade version of herself sitting in the back corner. All the other students cleared a wide berth around her and were twittering behind their hands.
"She's a real witch, that one. I heard she can manipulate your mind."
"She hurt a student with her weird powers."
"No, I heard that she killed someone…"
Oblivious to all this, the 7th grade Saki sat and continued to read her book.
Suddenly, a group of girls approached her. Three girls grabbed her and held her down, while the other two stood with matches in their hands.
"We have to burn you. It's for our own sake and yours. If the match leaves a mark, then you're normal. If it doesn't then you're a witch. So hold still. It will only hurt a little."
The 7th grade Saki stared at the girl with unreadable eyes. She did not move or speak. But suddenly, all the matches the girls carried lit up by themselves. With a shrill scream, the two girls quickly dropped them. As soon as they hit the floor, the matches went out again. For a while there was silence. Then, the girls holding Saki down quickly let go and ran behind the other two. All of them stared at Saki with wide eyes, fear and terror contorting their features. Finally, the one in the middle spoke.
"You…you…YOU WITCH!"
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Saki woke and look around her. She was laying on a cot in the school infirmary.
'What am I doing in here?' she thought. Suddenly, it came back to her. 'That's right, I was running with Sohma-kun and I fainted from running too hard.' Pulling back the covers, Saki climbed off the bed and started to walk towards the door. Before she reached it, however, the door swung open and in walked Yuki.
"Hanajima-san! You're awake! That's great. You had me worried for a second there." Yuki smiled at her brightly and the worry lines in between his eyebrows disappeared.
Saki stared at him quietly. "Yes, I am fine. My spirit just drifted away for a moment to find peace in a place we do not know of." With that, she glided past a very confused Yuki and walked out into the hall.
Halfway to the main entrance, Saki suddenly saw Tohru running towards her, with a very worried expression on her face.
"Hana-chan! Are you alright! I heard that you fell during practice! I was so worried!" cries a frazzled Tohru, clutching both of Saki's hands in hers and shaking them up and down.
"Yes, Tohru-kun. I pushed my weak body too much and fainted. It is nothing to worry about. Please, do not concern yourself so." Saki smiled at Tohru, slightly amused at Tohru's frenzied worry.
"Very well, Hana-chan…if you're sure you're ok…" Tohru reluctantly let go of Saki's hands and let out a small sigh.
"Absolutely. Now, Tohru-kun, what are you still doing here?"
"Oh! Well, I promised I would walk home with Yuki-kun today after your practice. Kyo-kun has to go to his sensei's dojo today and I felt lonely walking by myself. Speaking of, I should get going. Yuki-kun is waiting for me. Well, see you tomorrow Hana-chan! I hope you feel better!" With a big smile and a wave, Tohru continued down the corridor. Saki watched as she met up with Yuki and they both smiled at each other. Tohru turned and gave another wave to Hana and Yuki turned to the same direction. He saw Saki and he smiled and gave a wave too. Saki waved back and the other two turn around to go. Saki saw Tohru laugh at something Yuki said, and she saw Yuki chuckle as he caught Tohru and saved her from walking straight into a doorframe. This earned them both another giggle-fest as they walked down the hall.
'I forgot that she lives with Sohma-kun.' thought Saki as she stared after them. They do get along very well.' Saki felt her heart clutch a little at that. Shocked, she grabbed her chest. 'What was that? Did I really tire out my heart that much?' Confused, she tried again. 'They really get along well.' Her heart clutched again. Bewildered, Saki decided to break it down. 'Tohru.' Nothing. 'Yuki?' Her heart beat fast and she felt lightheaded again. 'What…what is this? What is going on with me?' Saki wondered, as she thought of him again, and her heart beat like a drum. 'I…must be tired…' she concluded as she walked out of the school, and on her way home.